CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - The Virginia Cavaliers (37-17, 13-14 ACC) defeated the Duke Blue Devils (14-37, 5-24 ACC) by the score of 7-2 in the second contest of a three-game Atlantic Coast Conference series at Davenport Field at the UVa Baseball Stadium. The Cavaliers' Matt Avery threw 8.0 innings and allowed just one earned run and the UVa offense pounded out 12 hits en route to posting the series deciding win over the Blue Devils. Virginia broke a 1-1 tie in the bottom of the fourth inning by scoring five runs in the side and cruised to the five-run victory to take a two games to none lead in the series.

"Today was a great win for us, we needed this win to clinch a good spot in the ACC standings and that's something to really be proud of," said UVa head baseball coach Brian O'Connor. "I felt Matt Avery really turned a corner tonight, he pitched a very good ballgame. He was able to give us eight innings and he'll be ready to go in the conference tournament next week. Offensively, Brandon Guyer had a big night and we collectively found a way to score some more runs. Tomorrow (Senior Day) will be a special day for this program and for these kids because there are several great (fourth-years) that have done great things in this program. I am excited for them to get a chance to go out and compete one last time on this field tomorrow."

Virginia took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning when Brandon Guyer tripled to right-center field before he scored a run one batter later on a RBI groundout to third base by Scott Headd. But Duke tied the game at 1-1 in the top of the fourth inning when the Blue Devils' Brett Bartles doubled down the left field line and scored a run one batter later on a RBI-single through the left side by Javier Socorro.

However, the Cavaliers put their stamp on the game and turned a 1-1 tie into a 6-1 lead by scoring five runs on four hits and made Duke pay for three costly errors in the bottom of the fourth inning. Sean Doolittle got the inning going with a single to right-center field before Scott Headd singled up the middle in UVa's next at-bat. Both base then runners advanced one base on the play on the first of three Duke errors on the side, this one committed by center fielder Senterrio Landrum on a mishandled ball. In Virginia's next at-bat, Kyle Wingfield reached first base on a fielder's choice and Doolittle scored a run on the play to make it 2-1 when the Blue Devils' Bartles committed their second error of the inning on the throw home on a play at the plate. Mike Campagna then connected on a bunt-single to load the bases for Kyle Werman, who calmly singled through the right side to drive in a pair of runs (Headd and Wingfield) to make it a 4-1 contest. Matt Street then stepped to the plate and reached base on fielder's choice, while both Campagna and Werman scored on the play on yet another Duke error, another throwing error by Bartles - his second of the inning. The third Blue Devil error in the inning resulted in UVa taking a commanding 6-1 lead.

Duke trimmed Virginia's lead to 6-2 in the top of the fifth inning when the Blue Devils' John Berger reached base on an error before scoring four batters later on a RBI-single to center field by Adam Murray. But the Cavaliers would answer right back with a run of their own and made it a 7-2 ballgame in the bottom of the fifth inning when UVa's Guyer doubled down the left field line before he scored a run on the fourth Duke error of the contest, this time a throwing error by pitcher David Torcise. That would be all the scoring needed as Virginia sealed the 7-2 victory.

UVa's Avery (5-5) evened his record on the year and went 8.0 strong innings. He allowed two runs (one earned) on six hits and struck out a game-high seven batters without a walk. The Cavaliers' Josh Myers closed out the game by throwing a scoreless inning in relief duty.

Duke's Torcise (2-8) took the loss after going 5.0 innings. He allowed seven runs (three earned) on eight hits and struck out a team-high four batters.

Virginia and Duke will return to action on Saturday, May 21st when the Cavaliers and Blue Devils play the third and final contest of the three-game ACC series. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 PM at Davenport Field at the UVa Baseball Stadium.